U.S. patent number 9,002,522 [Application Number 13/360,786] was granted by the patent office on 2015-04-07 for logical groupings of intelligent building fixtures.
This patent grant is currently assigned to enLighted, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Premal Ashar, Tanuj Mohan, Sanjeev Patel, David Perkins. Invention is credited to Premal Ashar, Tanuj Mohan, Sanjeev Patel, David Perkins.
United States Patent |
9,002,522 |
Mohan , et al. |
April 7, 2015 |
Logical groupings of intelligent building fixtures
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses and systems of building control, are
disclosed. One system includes a plurality of building fixtures and
at least one sensor interfaced with at least one of the plurality
of building fixtures. Further, each building fixture includes a
communication port and a controller. For this embodiment, each
controller is configured to independently control at least one of
an environmental load or a security device, either receive or help
designate the building fixture as belonging to a logical group of
building fixtures, and share at least one of sensor or state
information with other building fixtures within the logical group
of building fixtures, through the communication port.
Inventors: |
Mohan; Tanuj (Mountain View,
CA), Ashar; Premal (Sunnyvale, CA), Patel; Sanjeev
(Santa Clara, CA), Perkins; David (San Carlos, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mohan; Tanuj
Ashar; Premal
Patel; Sanjeev
Perkins; David |
Mountain View
Sunnyvale
Santa Clara
San Carlos |
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
enLighted, Inc. (Sunnyvale,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
46065081 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/360,786 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20120130544 A1 |
May 24, 2012 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12874331 |
Sep 2, 2010 |
8587225 |
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12584444 |
Sep 5, 2009 |
8457793 |
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61191636 |
Sep 10, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/275 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B
47/115 (20200101); H05B 47/175 (20200101); H05B
47/105 (20200101); H05B 47/11 (20200101); Y02B
20/40 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G05B
15/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;700/19,20,275,276,277,278,295 ;315/295,312 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kasenge; Charles
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Short; Brian R.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/874,331 filed Sep. 2, 2010, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/584,444
filed Sep. 5, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/191,636 filed Sep. 10, 2008, which are
herein incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A building control system, comprising: a plurality of building
fixtures; wherein at least one of building fixture of the plurality
of building fixtures comprising; an interface to at least one
sensor; a communication port; a controller, the controller
configured to: independently control at least one of an
environmental load or a security device; aid in designating the at
least one building fixture as belonging to a logical group of
building fixtures, comprising at least a sub-plurality of the
plurality of building fixtures auto-determining the logical group;
share information of the at least one sensor with other building
fixtures within the logical group of building fixtures, through the
communication port; and receive other sensor information from at
least one of the other building fixtures within the logical group
of building fixtures, through the communications port.
2. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sensor is incorporated into the at least one building fixture.
3. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sensor comprises at least one of a light sensor, a motion sensor,
or an environment sensor.
4. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the controller
is operable without receiving any commands from a central
controller.
5. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the controller
independently controlling at least one of an environmental load and
a security device comprises the controller controlling at least one
of a lighting intensity, an environmental control, or a building
security control.
6. The building control system of claim 1, further comprising the
controller operative to independently control the at least one of
the environmental load or the security device based on at least one
of the shared sensor or shared state information received from at
least one other of the plurality of building fixtures within the
logical group.
7. The building control system of claim 1, wherein auto-determining
comprises the at least one building fixtures receiving a sensed
input of a different building fixture, and the at least one
building fixture auto-designating itself into a logical group that
includes the different building fixture based on an proximity of
the at least one building fixture to the different building
fixture.
8. The building control system of claim 7, wherein the at least one
building fixture determines its proximity to the different building
fixture based on a three-dimensional x, y, z location of the at
least one building fixture relative to a three-dimensional x, y, z
location of the different building fixture.
9. The building control system of claim 1, further comprising the
controller configured to additionally control at least one of the
environmental load or the security device based on proximity of the
at least one building fixture to a sensed input.
10. The building control system of claim 1, further comprising each
building fixtures of the logical group of building fixtures
additionally operative to receive an input from a device, wherein
the building fixture responds to the input if the input includes an
identifier associating the input with the logical group.
11. The building control system of claim 1, further comprising
building fixtures within the logical group restarting a
clear-state-timer upon sensing of motion or light by a building
fixture within the logical group.
12. The building control system of claim 11, wherein sensing of
motion or light by building fixtures within the logical group
within a predetermined amount of time after restarting a lighting
on-time are ignored.
13. The building control system of claim 1, wherein if a building
fixture receives an indication of sensing of light or motion, the
building fixture ignores its own sensing of light or motion for a
predetermined period of time.
14. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the logical
group comprises a motion sensing group.
15. The building control system of claim 14, wherein the motion
sensing group comprises a corridor look-ahead behavior, comprising
a plurality of overlapping logical groups of building fixtures that
provide propagation of light along a corridor.
16. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the logical
group comprises an ambient light group.
17. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the logical
group comprises a logical switch group.
18. The building control system of claim 17, wherein the logical
group is designated by a group id, and building fixtures that are
members of the logical group having the group id are controlled by
at least one of a logical switch and a physical switch, wherein the
member building fixtures are controlled to provide predetermined
scenes.
19. The building control system of claim 1, wherein at least one
building fixture of the logical group receives a reference or
baseline value for at least one of a motion sensor input or a light
sensor input from another building fixture in the logical
group.
20. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the logical
group comprises a logical temperature group.
21. The building control system of claim 20, wherein a building
fixture receives at least one of an occupancy input and a
temperature sensor input from at least one of the other fixtures in
the logical group to control an environmental load.
22. The building control system of claim 1, wherein the logical
group comprises an emergency path groups, and wherein the emergency
path group responds to reception of an emergency indicator, and
further responds to sensed conditions of one or more sensors of
other building fixtures.
23. The building control system of claim 22, wherein the emergency
path group provides a safe path indicator for directing occupants
to a safe path when the emergency indicator is received.
24. A building control system, comprising: a plurality of building
fixtures; wherein at least one of building fixture of the plurality
of building fixtures comprising; an interface to at least one
sensor; a communication port; a controller, the controller
configured to: independently control at least one of an
environmental load or a security device; aid in designating the at
least one building fixture as belonging to a logical group of
building fixtures, wherein the logical group comprises a motion
sensing group; share information of the at least one sensor with
other building fixtures within the logical group of building
fixtures, through the communication port; and receive other sensor
information from at least one of the other building fixtures within
the logical group of building fixtures, through the communications
port; and further comprising building fixtures of a corridor
determining they are in a corridor, and auto-designating themselves
to be included within a common logical group.
25. A building control system, comprising: a plurality of building
fixtures; wherein at least one of building fixture of the plurality
of building fixtures comprising; an interface to at least one
sensor; a communication port; a controller, the controller
configured to: independently control at least one of an
environmental load or a security device; aid in designating the at
least one building fixture as belonging to a logical group of
building fixtures, wherein the logical group comprises an ambient
light group; share information of the at least one sensor with
other building fixtures within the logical group of building
fixtures, through the communication port; and receive other sensor
information from at least one of the other building fixtures within
the logical group of building fixtures, through the communications
port; and further comprising at least a subset of the plurality
building fixtures auto-designating themselves to be within the
ambient light group.
26. A building control system, comprising: a plurality of building
fixtures; wherein at least one of building fixture of the plurality
of building fixtures comprising; an interface to at least one
sensor; a communication port; a controller, the controller
configured to: independently control at least one of an
environmental load or a security device; aid in designating the at
least one building fixture as belonging to a logical group of
building fixtures; share information of the at least one sensor
with other building fixtures within the logical group of building
fixtures, through the communication port; and receive other sensor
information from at least one of the other building fixtures within
the logical group of building fixtures, through the communications
port; wherein if at least one of the building fixtures of the
logical group that senses a motion or light senses a blindness
condition, then the at least one building fixture retrieving
sensing information from other building fixtures within a common
logical group to determine a motion level or an ambient light
level.
27. A building control apparatus, comprising: an interface to at
least one sensor; a communication port; a controller, the
controller configured to: independently control at least one of an
environmental load or a security device; aid in designating the
building control apparatus as belonging to a logical group of
building control apparatuses, comprising at least a sub-plurality
of the plurality of building fixtures auto-determining the logical
group; share sensor information of the at least one sensor with
other building control apparatuses within the logical group,
through the communication port; and receive other sensor
information from at least one of the other building fixtures within
the logical group of building fixtures, through the communications
port.
28. The building control apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at
least one sensor senses at least one of light, motion, or an
environmental condition.
29. The building control apparatus of claim 27, the controller
independently controlling at least one of an environmental load and
a security device comprises the controller controlling at least one
of a lighting intensity, an environmental control, or a building
security control.
30. The building control apparatus of claim 27, further comprising
the controller operative to independently control the at least one
of the environmental load or the security device based on at least
one of the shared sensor or shared state information received from
at least one other of the plurality of building control apparatuses
within the logical group.
31. The building control apparatus of claim 27, further comprising
the building control apparatus restarting a clear-state-timer upon
sensing of motion or light by at least one building control
apparatus within the logical group.
32. The building control apparatus of claim 31, wherein sensing of
at least one of motion and light by at least one building control
apparatus within the logical group within a predetermined amount of
time after restarting a lighting on-time are ignored.
33. The building control apparatus of claim 27, wherein if at least
one other building control apparatus of the plurality of building
control apparatuses of the logical group receives an indication of
sensing of light or motion, the building control apparatus ignores
its own sensing of light or motion for a predetermined period of
time.
34. A method of operating a building control fixture, comprising:
aiding, by the building control fixture, in designating the
building control fixture as belonging to a logical group of
building fixtures, comprising at least a sub-plurality of the
plurality of building fixtures auto-determining the logical group;
receiving, by the building control fixture, sensor information from
a least one sensor interfaced with the building control fixture;
independently controlling, by the building control fixture, at
least one of an environmental load or a security device; and
sharing, by the building control fixture, the sensor information
with other building fixtures within the logical group of building
fixtures, through a communication port of the building control
fixture.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the sensor information
comprises at least one of light, motion, or an environmental
condition.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein independently controlling at
least one of an environmental load and a security device comprises
controlling, by the building control fixture, at least one of a
lighting intensity, an environmental control, or a building
security control.
37. The method of claim 34, further comprising independently
controlling the at least one of the environmental load or the
security device based on at least one of the shared sensor or
shared state information received from at least one other of the
plurality of building fixtures within the logical group.
38. The method of claim 34, further comprising building fixtures
within the logical group restarting, by the building fixture, a
clear-state-timer upon sensing of motion or light by at least one
other building fixture within the logical group.
39. The method of claim 34, wherein sensing of motion or light by
building fixtures within the logical group within a predetermined
amount of time after restarting a lighting on-time are ignored.
40. The method of claim 34, wherein if the building fixture
receives an indication of sensing of light or motion, the building
fixture ignores its own sensing of light or motion for a
predetermined period of time.
Description
FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The described embodiments relate generally to building controls.
More particularly, the described embodiments relate to logical
groupings of intelligent building fixtures for controlling light,
building environment or building security.
BACKGROUND
Building control systems are continually being developed. Building
control systems can provide intelligence within a building or
structure for improving energy use, user comfort and building
security. The complexity of buildings and their control systems
have evolved to automatic systems with central points of control.
The most common building control systems provide control of
lighting and heating. However, control systems for fire and
security have become more prevalent as these areas have become more
important.
As control systems have become more complex, the technique has
always been to provide a central control point which relies on many
outlying sensors as this has been the most straight-forward and
easily implemented solution. These centralized control systems have
always suffered from several serious problems. The largest problem
has been failures of the control point itself causing a complete
system failure. Various attempts have been tried to introduce
redundant control points which add complexity to the control system
along with introducing additional failure points.
Other failures occur in the areas of communications, sensors or
actuators. These centralized networks have much difficulty in
overcoming failures of this type as each system has been manually
balanced at the time of set-up.
Centrally controlled building systems can be disadvantageous
because all decision making occurs at the controller. Therefore, if
the controller becomes inoperative, all devices in the system are
no longer under automated control and some or all may not operate
even manually. Similarly, if a connection to or from the controller
is severed the devices served by that connection are no longer
under automated control and also may not operate manually. Partial
or system-wide functional changes, such as an immediate need to
override current system settings (for example, during a fire or
other emergency), cannot be made from anywhere but the
controller.
Centrally controlled systems are fundamentally limited when
attempting to expand or scale the controlled systems. More
specifically, it is expensive to expand and the systems typically
require significantly more power to operate.
It is desirable have methods, apparatuses and systems for providing
building controls that are easy to expand in size, and do not
require excessive amounts of power to operate.
SUMMARY
One embodiment includes a building control system. The building
control system includes a plurality of building fixtures and at
least one sensor that is interfaced with at least one of the
plurality of building fixtures. Further, each building fixture
includes a communication port and a controller. For this
embodiment, each controller is configured to independently control
at least one of an environmental load or a security device, either
receive or help designate the building fixture as belonging to a
logical group of building fixtures, and share at least one of
sensor or state information with other building fixtures within the
logical group of building fixtures, through the communication
port.
Another embodiment includes a building control apparatus. The
building control apparatus includes a communication port and a
controller. The controller is configured to independently control
at least one of an environmental load or a security device, either
receive or help designate the building control apparatus as
belonging to a logical group of building control apparatuses, and
share at least one of sensor or state information with other
building control apparatuses within the logical group, through the
communication port.
Another embodiment includes a method of operating a building
control fixture. The method includes designating the building
fixture as belonging to a logical group of building fixtures,
wherein the designating includes at least one of receiving the
designation or the building fixture aiding in the designation,
independently controlling, by the building control fixture, at
least one of an environmental load or a security device, and
sharing, by the building control fixture, at least one of sensor or
state information with other building fixtures within the logical
group of building fixtures, through a communication port of the
building control fixture.
Other aspects and advantages of the described embodiments will
become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of
example the principles of the described embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an example of a building control system according to
an embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows an example of an anti-sensing group of fixtures.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart that includes steps of an example of a
method of operating a building control fixture according to an
embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows a building fixture that provides lighting control
according to an embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a building fixture that provides environmental control
according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a lighting system that includes logical
groupings of intelligent lighting fixtures.
FIG. 7 shows an example of emergency path groups of fixtures.
FIG. 8 shows an example of logical groupings of intelligent
lighting fixtures within a corridor.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart that includes steps of another example of a
method of an intelligent light controller controlling a light.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart that includes steps of another example of a
method of an intelligent light controller controlling a light.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The described embodiments are embodied in methods, apparatuses and
systems for logical groupings of building fixtures. At least some
embodiments of the fixtures include lighting fixtures, while other
embodiments include environmental control apparatuses, such as,
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) devices, and other
embodiments include security controls. Embodiments of the building
fixtures provide independent, intelligent building controls. The
intelligence of each individual building fixture can be enhanced
through communication with other building fixtures of logical
groupings of the building fixtures. The logical groupings can be
designated in one or more ways, and each building fixture of a
logical group can utilizing sensed information from one or more of
the other building fixtures of the logical group. These embodiments
allowing for easy, efficient scaling of building control.
At least some of the described embodiments provide building control
systems that operate with distributed intelligence, thereby
eliminating problems of the prior building systems. The described
embodiments move the intelligence from a central point to the
building fixtures themselves.
Embodiments of the building fixtures include devices that are
attached to the walls or ceilings of a structure and are used to
provide environmental services such as heat or light, or security
services such as surveillance or fire protection. Embodiments of
the building fixtures can be installed by construction crews in new
or remodeled buildings, but can be added as necessary later. The
most common fixtures are light fixtures, heating or cooling vents,
fans, security cameras, or fire alarms and sensors.
The advent of low-cost microprocessor controllers has allowed the
control point to be replicated into each fixture along with
communications between controllers, so that centralized control
points are no longer needed. The fixtures are now able to operate
separately, or in logical groups to control the environment. User
control points can be provided as required to allow a user to
control one or more logical groupings of fixtures. User control
points simply communicate with the network of fixtures to provide
the necessary control information. Also system administrators can
manage the building functions by setting up or changing logical
groupings of fixtures as required to enable proper system
operation. Finally, the networks of the describe embodiments
provide built-in redundancy, as failed sensors or fixtures can be
neutralized and alarmed to keep the fixture network functioning
properly.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a building control system according to
an embodiment. As shown, the building control system includes a
plurality of building fixtures 110, 120, 130, 140 located within,
for example, a building structure 100. It is to be understood that
the term "building" may be used here to designate of define any
structure that may include and benefit from the use of the
described building fixtures, such as, any type of indoor room or
structure, including, for example, a parking structure.
The building control system includes at least one sensor (such as,
sensors 128, 138) interfaced with at least one of the plurality of
building fixtures (such as, building fixtures 120, 130). As shown,
the building fixtures 110, 120, 130, 140 each include a
communication port (such as communication ports 112, 122, 132, 142)
and a controller (such as, controllers 111, 121, 131, 141).
As will be described, each controller is configured to
independently control at least one of an environmental load or a
security device. Each controller is configured to either receive or
help designate the building fixture as belonging to a logical group
of building fixtures. Additionally, each controller is configured
to share at least one of sensor or state information with other
building fixtures within the logical group of building fixtures,
through the communication port.
FIG. 1 shows exemplary logical groups 101, 102. While the logical
groupings of FIG. 1 do not overlap (that is, there is not a
building fixture shown as belonging to multiple logical groups),
embodiments includes building fixtures belonging to one or more
logical groups. As will be described, the logical groups can be
dynamic and change over time.
At least some embodiments of the building fixtures (also referred
to as building control apparatuses) include a device mounted to a
wall or a ceiling of a building. Embodiments of the building
fixtures supply a variety of services including light, heat, and
cold air as needed. Additionally, or alternatively, multiple of the
building fixtures of a logical grouping of building fixtures
contain sensors or cameras that are used to provide security and
fire control systems throughout, for example, buildings.
One embodiment of a building fixture includes an intelligent light
fixture. Light fixtures come in many forms with the fluorescent
fixture being the most common in buildings. New fluorescent
fixtures can be fitted with special ballasts that allow for
dimming.
Another embodiment of a building fixture system includes arrays of
ceiling fans such as are often found in buildings where the climate
is warm or humid. The speed of the fans where people are present
can be made faster. HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning) systems often have multiple ports in a large room. By
controlling the flow or temperature of air in active areas cooling
and heating costs can be reduced.
Another embodiment of a building fixture system includes an audio
speaker array. By varying sound levels to match activity, audio
systems can be made more effective.
Another embodiment of a building fixture system includes
surveillance systems. An array of surveillance components such as
microphones or cameras lend themselves to intelligent control.
Activity can be monitored by the system so the fixtures can focus
on areas where people happen to be located.
Another embodiment of a building fixture system includes RFID
(radio frequency identification) tag reader arrays. Embodiments of
RFID tag systems include badge readers lend themselves to
intelligent arrays. It is possible to track and display movements
of workers in a building by individual. A system of this nature can
make access available to certain people while blocking others. By
combining the other surveillance components above with RFID tags,
any activity of any individual can be monitored in detail.
Another embodiment of a building fixture system includes a fire
alarm system. That is, embodiments of the building fixture system
can be used for fire alarm systems. The fixtures can sense and
monitor possible fire indicators: carbon monoxide, temperature,
smoke, sprinkler status, etc. The system can also check for people
in a fire area, fire doors, etc. Activation of a fire alarm box can
place the array into a fire mode to track or confirm the alarm in
order to lock down elevators, close fire doors, and notify
security. Today's fire alarm systems can be expensive to install
and maintain. Using an array of intelligent building fixtures can
greatly reduce installation and maintenance costs as it can be
piggybacked onto an existing array.
Embodiment includes various methods of deploying the described
intelligent building fixtures. Generally, four modes of deployment
have been identified.
A first mode includes an installation mode. Fixtures are normally
be installed by electricians. As each fixture is installed, it may
be tested by powering it up. In the installation mode, each fixture
responds independently with the fixture turning on or providing an
audible or visual indicator when powered up.
A second mode includes a setup mode. Once the installation is
finished the array of fixtures enters the setup mode. Two types of
setup are possible. A first setup type is automatic. In this mode,
the fixtures would learn to communicate with each other. The first
step would be for each fixture to identify itself to the other
fixtures in the array. The fixtures would be interconnected via a
data network. Each fixture would perform a function visible to the
adjacent fixtures. In this manner, it is possible to associate the
address of a fixture with its physical location. Obstructions such
walls would form the boundaries of each array. A typical array
would include a single line 1.times.N (hall), or an M.times.N array
(room). Other geometric shapes are a circle, a ring, a trapezoid,
or a triangle. Stairs between floors would be also identified. Once
an array of fixtures is recognized, it can later be tagged and
associated with a control device, such as a switch, by a system
administrator. A second setup type is manual. Manual identification
of an array of fixtures would be performed by a system
administrator. First, the administrator would identify a fixture
using a laser pointer. The administrator would then add each
fixture to an array. When the process is performed manually, the
administrator would have complete control of the setup process. The
administrator would identify the array and assign a switch to
control it. When the administrator has finished the setup of the
fixtures, he would allow the system to progress to the operational
mode.
A third mode includes an operational mode. Fixtures perform as a
unit in the operational mode. The arrays previously set up respond
to activity or controls such as switches. In the operational mode,
the fixtures execute software that has been previously selected by
the administrator or downloaded from an external source. This
software allows the fixtures to track movement by a person walking
along a hall or through a room. Based on the movement, the fixtures
tracks or illuminate the party as the party moves through the
space. The operational mode also provides for simple additions or
replacement of fixtures. Major changes can require the system to
enter a teardown mode.
A fourth mode includes a teardown mode. The teardown mode is used
when major troubleshooting, repair or changes of the array are
needed. The teardown mode restores the system to the installation
mode. In that mode, the array can be modified and made ready for
setup.
Embodiments of the building control systems include building
fixtures that are networked order for the fixtures to communicate
they would be part of a data network. The network can be a typical
wired or wireless LAN. The network can also be a specialized
network such as a wireless Ad-Hoc network, or a Bluetooth network.
Another type of network is a data network that communicates over
the power lines. This type of network saves having to run special
data wiring to each fixture. Each fixture would be assigned a MAC
layer address when manufactured which would be used during setup
and operation to identify the fixture.
Referring back to FIG. 1, at least one of the building control
fixtures (120, 130) is interfaced with a sensor 128, 138. However,
another embodiment includes the sensor being physically
incorporated into at least one of the building fixtures. Various
configurations of the sensor include a light sensor, a motion
sensor, or an environment sensor (such as a temperature sensor or
humidity sensor). It is to be understood that each sensor can
include one of such listed sensors, or any combination of the
listed sensors. Other possible types of sensors include, for
example, a sound/noise sensor, an intrusion detection sensor, a
seismic motion (or structural motion detection) and/or a
voltage/current/power meter
For at least some embodiments of the building control system of
FIG. 1, the building control fixtures 110, 120, 130, 140 are
independently operable. That is, each of the fixtures can operate
completely independently, and the controller within each fixture is
operable without receiving any commands from a central controller.
For other embodiments, the fixtures operate in conjunction with
other fixtures, such as, other fixtures within a common logical
group. For this embodiment, decisions regarding building control
can involve a collaborative interaction between multiple fixtures.
For other embodiments, one or more fixtures are interfaced with a
system controller.
For an embodiment, each controller 111, 121, 131, 141 independently
control an environmental load or a security device. More
specifically, the controller controls at least one of a lighting
intensity, an environmental control, or a building security
control. As will be described, the building control fixtures can
include lighting (that is, a light in included with the fixture),
and the controller of the fixture controls the intensity of light
emitted from the light. Alternatively or additionally, the fixture
can include environment control, such as, temperature or humidity.
For this embodiment, the fixture can be interface or be a part of
an HVAC system. Alternatively or additionally, the fixture can
interface with or be a part of a building security system.
For at least some embodiments, the controller of each fixture is
operative to independently control the environmental load and/or
the security device based on at least one of shared sensor or
shared state information received from at least one other of the
plurality of building fixtures within the logical group. For
embodiments, the environmental control includes light, temperature
and/or humidity. For embodiments, the shared sensor information
includes sense light, motion, temperature, humidity, and other
possible sensors. For embodiments, the state information includes,
for example, occupancy information, clear state timer, light
fixture emitted light intensity.
A fixture may control, for example, an intensity of light emitted
from the fixture based at least in part on a sensed parameter from
another fixture of the logical group. A fixture may control heat or
humidity based on temperature or humidity sensing of other fixtures
within the logical group. A fixture may make security decisions
based on parameters sensed by other fixtures of the logical
group.
A factor that greatly adds to the intelligence of the distributed
building control fixtures are the designations of logical groups,
wherein building fixtures of a logical group control building
parameters based on sensed input from other building control
fixtures of the logical group.
For an embodiment, the controller within a building control fixture
is operative to help designate one or more of the plurality of
building fixtures as belonging to the logical group. That is, the
fixtures operate in conjunction with other fixtures, such as, other
fixtures within a common logical group. For this embodiment,
decisions regarding building control can involve a collaborative
interaction between multiple fixtures. For another embodiment, at
least a sub-plurality of the plurality of building fixtures
auto-determine which building fixtures are included within the
logical group.
For an embodiment, fixtures auto-designate logical groups based on
location and/or proximity. That is, for one example, each fixture
knows their location (for example, x, y and z coordinates) and
auto-designates based on a sensed input, and proximity, or a
location (for example, x, y and z coordinates) of the sensor that
generated the sensed input. Fixtures which are classified into
certain categories (e.g. corridor, emergency) affiliate themselves
with other fixtures based on commonality of category and proximity.
For example, a fixture in a corridor or emergency path will receive
motion sensing input from another fixture in the corridor or
emergency path and, based on the fact that they are both in the
same category and that they are within a distance threshold
(proximity) determines that it is in the same motion group as the
fixture from which input (sensed) was received.
State another way, for an embodiment, auto-determining includes at
least one of the building fixtures receiving a sensed input of a
different building fixture, and the at least one building fixture
auto-designating itself into a logical group that includes the
different building fixture based on a proximity of the at least one
building fixture to the different building fixture. For a specific
embodiment, the at least one building fixture determines its
proximity to the different building fixture based on a
three-dimensional x, y, z location of the at least one building
fixture relative to a three-dimensional x, y, z location of the
different building fixture.
While described in the context of auto-designating groups, it is to
be understood that location or proximity information can be used by
fixtures to influence operation. That is, for example, a fixture
may base its operation based on logical groupings, and
additionally, based on the proximity of a sensed input.
For an embodiment, an administrator specifies which of the
plurality of building fixtures belong to the logical group.
Generally, the administrator specification occurs at installation,
and may remain static. For another embodiment, a manual operator
specifies which of the plurality of building fixtures belong to the
logical group. This can include the operator having a manual
control (such as a switch or a set of switches) that allows the
manual operator to set and control logical groupings.
An embodiment includes each of the building fixtures of the logical
group additionally being operative to receive an input from a
device, wherein the building fixture responds to the input if the
input includes an identifier associating the input with the logical
group. For this embodiment an external controller can interface
with particular logical groups based on the unique identifier
associated with the logical group. Associating the unique
identifiers with logical groups provides for ease of scaling of the
number of building fixtures. That is, for example, conventional
centrally-controlled systems require either more messages or larger
messages to control building fixtures, whereas including unique
identifiers with logical groups provides for an efficient system in
which the transmitted data doesn't grow or increase as the group
grows. Additionally, the system is less reliant on and requires
less use of any one communication channel, and therefore, the
likelihood of failure due to communication channel use is less.
An embodiment includes building fixtures within the logical group
restarting a clear-state-timer upon sensing of motion and/or light
by a building fixture within the logical group. The clear-state
time can be defined by an occupancy window that estimates, for
example, how long a space will be occupied after sensing an
occupant. That is, for example, lights can be turned on within a
building or structure for a period of the clear-state-timer, which
can be estimated by an occupancy window. This embodiment allows
members (building fixtures) of a logical group to transition states
while maintaining synchronization with each other.
An exemplary method or sequence of events of a clear-state-timer
operation includes fixture in motion group detecting motion. For
operation of an exemplary set of lighting fixtures, all fixtures in
motion group brighten and set an occupancy window of some
configured time. At the expiration of the occupancy window, the
fixtures should dim/turn off. However, if during the occupancy
window, some fixtures in the motion group subsequently detects
motion, all fixtures in the motion group reset the occupancy window
since the area covered by the motion group is still occupied. After
the occupancy window expires, all fixtures dim or turn off.
For an embodiment, sensing of motion and/or light by building
fixtures within the logical group within a predetermined amount of
time after restarting a lighting on-time are ignored. That is, for
example, sensing of light and/or motion is ignored just after
lighting of the lighting fixtures. The period of time in which
sensed inputs are ignored can be defined a dead-time. The dead time
can reduce "chatter" between lights of a logical group. That is,
multiple lights within a logical group can near-simultaneously
sense a change in motion and/or light which can cause redundant or
excess chatter among the lighting fixtures of the logical
group.
An embodiment includes a building fixture ignores its own sensing
of light and/or motion for a predetermined period of time if the
building fixture receives an indication of sensing of light and/or
motion from another fixture of the logical group. This process can
be defined as "anti-sensing". Anti-sensing can be useful, for
example, for preventing a light fixture of an office or a
conference room from turning on when someone passes by outside the
office or conference room.
FIG. 2 shows an example of an anti-sensing group of fixtures. An
motion sensing group includes fixtures 220, 221, 222, 223. Also as
shown, an anti-sensing group is formed that includes the fixture
221 which is location within, for example, a conference room 200,
and a second fixture 224 is located outside of the conference room.
For this embodiment, if both fixtures 221, 224 in the anti-sensing
group detect motion, the fixture 221 in the conference room will
ignore its own sensing of motion (anti-sensing) as will the other
fixtures 220, 222, 223 within the motion sensing group because the
detection of motion by the fixture 224 outside the room indicates
that a passerby 230 triggered this motion event.
Various embodiments include different types of logical groups.
Exemplary logical group types include, for example, a motion
sensing group (previously mentioned), an ambient light group, a
logical temperature group, and a logical switch group. Clearly,
additional types of logical groups can additionally or
alternatively exist. Additionally, a building fixture can belong to
any number of different logical groups. Logically grouping of
building fixtures is useful for synchronizing members of logical
groups, normalizing behavior based on larger samples of data,
and/or making better decision based on larger sample of data.
Additionally, a fixture being able to belong to any number of
different groups is difficult and expensive in centrally controlled
systems. As the membership list of fixtures in a centrally
controlled system grows, the data that the controller must manage
grows, which causes scaling problems.
An exemplary motion sensing group can be utilized, for example, by
lighting fixtures located in a corridor. For an embodiment,
building fixtures of a corridor determining they are in a corridor,
and auto-designate themselves to be included within a common
logical group (that is, the motion sensing group). Further, the
motion sensing group includes a corridor look-ahead behavior,
wherein for the look-ahead behavior, a plurality of overlapping
logical groups of building fixtures provide propagation of light
along a corridor.
This propagation of light can be used in applications where objects
are moving at a high speed and the path of the object's motion
needs to be illuminated. Additionally, the corridor look-ahead
behavior provides for a safer environment in sparsely populated
hallways during the night since individuals moving through the
corridor can see farther ahead. By using the corridor look-ahead
behavior, the motion sensing group can achieve an effective mix of
safety and energy efficiency because the appropriate level of light
is provided without having to illuminate the entire corridor (as is
the case with many traditional lighting control systems).
For the ambient light group, an embodiment includes at least a
subset of the plurality building fixtures auto-designating
themselves to be within the ambient light group. The auto or self
designation of the light can be made, for example, by the at least
a subset of the plurality of light determining that they receive a
change of light near-simultaneously (that is, for example, within a
defined time slot).
For an embodiment, if at least one of the building fixtures of the
logical group sense a motion and/or light sensing blindness
condition, then the at least one building fixture retrieving
sensing information from other building fixtures within a common
logical group to determine motion and/or ambient light level, and
the building fixture responds accordingly. That is, a building
fixture (such as a lighting fixture) solicits information from
others in logical group if the lighting fixture is blind. It is to
be understood that the same concept can be extended to other sensor
as well, such as, motion sensors or temperature sensors.
For a logical switching group, an embodiment includes the logical
group being designated by a group id, and building fixtures that
are members of the logical group having the group id are controlled
by a logical switch or a physical switch. For an embodiment, the
member building fixtures are controlled to provide predetermined
scenes.
For example, a conference room might have predetermined scenes
which dim the fixtures near a projector screen or group viewing
monitor. Other scenes can include optimizing light levels for
specific tasks (for example, task tuning).
An embodiment includes at least one building fixture of the logical
group receiving a reference or baseline value for at least one of
motion and/or light sensor input from another building fixture in
the logical group. For example, a lighting fixture solicits the
ambient light level from another lighting fixture in the logical
group to establish a reference for the minimum light level in a
particular building location. Further, the lighting fixture may
receive the input from the other fixture(s) in the group, and then
compare its own measured (sensed) values against the received
values to make a decision. For example, the received values could
be a target (such as a heating or cooling target, and further the
fixture adjusting its temperature until it reaches the target). For
another embodiment, the building fixture uses the received value to
determine some external factor. For example, the value received
from a fixture located outside can be used to determine outside
temperature which can be used to aid in adjustment of an inside
temperature. Clearly, these embodiments can be extended beyond just
temperature control.
For the logical temperature group, an embodiment includes a
building fixture receiving at least one of an occupancy (motion)
input and a temperature sensor input from at least one of the other
fixtures in the logical group to control an environmental load. For
other embodiments, this can further include the building fixture
controlling the environmental load by averaging the temperatures of
all the building fixtures in the logical group. Additionally or
alternatively, embodiments include the building fixture controlling
the environmental load, for example, using only the temperatures of
building fixtures in the logical group which are reporting
occupancy. For embodiments, the environment is controlled only in
places that matter, such as, occupied spaces. The described
embodiments allow from determination of whether a space is really
occupied, are whether one is merely passing through the spaces.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart that includes steps of an example of a
method of operating a building control fixture according to an
embodiment. A first step 310 includes designating the building
fixture as belonging to a logical group of building fixtures,
wherein the designating comprises at least one of receiving the
designation or the building fixture aiding in the designation. A
second step 320 includes independently controlling, by the building
control fixture, at least one of an environmental load or a
security device. A third step 330 includes sharing, by the building
control fixture, at least one of sensor or state information with
other building fixtures within the logical group of building
fixtures, through a communication port of the building control
fixture.
As previously described, and embodiment further comprising the
building control fixture receiving a sensor input, wherein the
sensor input includes at least one of light, motion, or an
environmental condition.
FIG. 4 shows an example of an intelligent lighting fixture 400. A
controller 430 provides dimming and/or power control to a light 410
through a light intensity control (such as, a dimming ballast) 420.
For an embodiment, the light intensity control 420 receives a power
input and a dimming control input, and provides a regulated current
to the light 410.
The intelligent light controller 430 communicates with other
devices through a wireless or wired interface 446. The other
devices include, for example, an authorized (manager) device, one
or more other intelligent lighting fixtures.
As a part of for example, an energy-savings mode of the intelligent
light controller 430, the intelligent light controller 430 receives
inputs from sensors, such as, a motion sensor 442 and/or a light
sensor 444. Clearly, other sensors can be utilized as well.
For at least some embodiments, the light 410 is a gas-discharge
lamp, which is typically a negative-resistance device. Such devices
cannot effectively regulate their current use. If such a device
were connected to a constant-voltage power supply, it would draw an
increasing amount of current until it was destroyed or caused the
power supply to fail. To prevent this situation, a ballast (such as
the dimming ballast 420) provides a positive resistance that limits
the ultimate current to an appropriate level. In this way, the
ballast provides for the proper operation of the
negative-resistance device by appearing to be a legitimate, stable
resistance in the circuit.
FIG. 5 shows an example of an intelligent temperature control
apparatus 500. The temperature control apparatus can be, for
example, at least a part of a HVAC system. A controller 530
provides temperature control to a temperature apparatus 510
through, for example, a temperature controller 520. This embodiment
includes similar sensors 442, 444 and communication interface
446.
FIG. 5 exemplifies that the logical grouping control for lighting
of the described embodiments can be extended to, for example,
temperature control. That is, sensing conditions, such as,
temperature, motion and/or light of one temperature control
apparatus can be used to aid in the control of another temperature
control apparatus.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a lighting system that includes logical
groupings of intelligent lighting fixtures. For example, a first
logical group (grouping 1) includes intelligent lighting fixtures
620, 621, 622, and a second logical group (grouping 2) includes
intelligent lighting fixtures 623, 624, 625, and a third logical
group (grouping 3) includes intelligent lighting fixtures 622,
625.
Different embodiments include the logical groupings being made in
different ways. For example, the logical groupings can be made by
commonality of motion and/or light sensing of the groups. The
logical groupings can be predefined by a lighting system
manager.
As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary barrier, such as, a wall defines
the logical groupings. For example, due to the presence of the
wall, a natural logical group 1 and logical group 2 can result.
That is, light or motion sensed by the members of the logical group
1 may not be sensed or be relevant to the members of the logical
group 2. Additionally, a third logical group 3 may have commonality
in sensing within themselves, but be different than those of
logical groups 1 and 2.
For at least some embodiments, each of the intelligent light
fixtures operate independently, but can receive additional
information from sensors of other intelligent light fixtures within
a common logical group. As shown in FIG. 6, intelligent lighting
fixtures can belong to multiple logical groups. The logical
groupings can be dynamic and defined in multiple ways.
A system operator can predefine logical groups, and the system
operator can later change the logical groupings. Additionally, as
previously described the intelligent lighting fixtures can define
logical groupings themselves.
FIG. 7 shows an example of emergency path groups of fixtures. The
emergency path logical groups can be designated by any of the
described methods. Once designated, the logical groupings can work
individually or in combination to provide at least one indicator of
a safe path for occupants of a building structure 700. A first
emergency logical group includes building fixtures 710, 711, 712,
714, 715, 702, 701, while a second emergency logical grouping
includes fixtures 701, 702, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719. If an
emergency indicator is received by one or more of the building
fixtures, the building fixtures or corresponding emergency logical
groups can respond. For example, lights of the emergency logical
groups can flash or provide some sort of an alert to occupants of
the building structure 700 that an emergency condition exists. The
emergency condition can come from anywhere (such as an internal or
external sensor), and indicate any type of emergency (such as,
fire, flood, smoke, earthquake, ect.). Once the emergency indicator
has been received, emergency logical groups can additionally used
sensors of other fixtures to deduces and determine, for example,
safe exist paths for occupants. For example, if the building
fixture 719 senses heat or smoke in the vicinity of the building
fixture 719, either one or both of the emergency logical groups (1
or 2) can provide one or more indicators (such as arrows are other
indicators of direction) that provide a safe path for occupants to,
for example, exit 750, or away from exit 760. For example, the
indicators can provide a safe path away from the building fixture
719 (near exit 760) in which smoke or heat has been sensed.
State in another way, for an embodiment, the logical groups
comprise emergency path groups, and the emergency path groups
respond to reception of an emergency indicator, and further respond
to sensed conditions of one or more sensors of other fixtures.
Further, for an embodiment, the emergency path group provides a
safe path indicator for directing occupants to a safe path when the
emergency indicator is received.
FIG. 8 shows an example of logical groupings of intelligent
lighting fixtures within a corridor. As shown, a first logical
grouping of intelligent lighting controllers can include
intelligent lighting fixtures 821, 822, 823, a second grouping of
intelligent lighting controllers can include intelligent lighting
fixtures 823, 824, 825, a third grouping of intelligent lighting
controllers can include intelligent lighting fixtures 824, 825,
826, and a fourth group of intelligent lighting controllers can
include intelligent lighting fixtures 824, 828, 829.
As a user travels down the corridor, the intelligent lighting
fixtures can each forecast the arrival of the user by utilizing
information from other intelligent lighting fixtures within the
same logical grouping. For example, intelligent lighting fixture
823 can be alerted that a user is nearby and likely to be traveling
near the intelligent lighting fixture 823 through motion sensors of
the intelligent lighting fixture 821, which is in the same logical
group as the lighting fixture 823. Similarly, intelligent lighting
fixture 824 can be alerted that a user is nearby and likely to be
traveling near the intelligent lighting fixture 824 through motion
sensors of the intelligent lighting fixture 829, which is in the
same logical group as the lighting fixture 824. The control of each
individual intelligent lighting fixture is made more intelligent by
providing the intelligent lighting fixture with information of
sensors of other intelligent lighting controllers of common logical
groups.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart that includes the steps of a method of
distributed lighting control according to an embodiment. A first
step 910 includes each of a plurality of independently controlled
lighting fixtures sensing light and/or motion, and independently
controlling an intensity of light of the lighting fixture. A second
step 920 includes specifying one or more of the plurality of
independently controlled lighting fixtures as belonging to a
logical group. A third step 930 includes each of the lighting
fixtures of the logical group additionally controlling the
intensity of light of a lighting fixture based on sensing of light
and/or motion of another lighting fixture of the logical group.
For at least some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of
independently controlled lighting fixtures belongs to a plurality
of logical groups. Further, at least some embodiments include a
central system administrator that specifies which lighting fixtures
belong to the logical group, while other embodiments include a
manual operator that specifies which lighting fixtures belong to
the logical group.
For at least some embodiments, at least a sub-plurality of the
plurality of independently controlled lighting fixtures
auto-determines the logical group. For example, a single switch can
cause the sub-plurality of lighting fixtures to reboot. The
sub-plurality of lights can detect the near-simultaneous rebooting
of the sub-plurality of lights and, therefore, self or auto
designate themselves as belonging to the logical group.
For at least some embodiments, lighting fixtures within the logical
group restart an on time for the lighting upon sensing of motion
and/or light by a lighting fixture within the logical group.
Further, sensing of motion and/or light by lighting fixtures within
the logical group within a predetermined amount of time after
restarting a lighting on-time are ignored. That is, just after
lighting of the lighting fixtures, following sensing of light
and/or motion is ignored, defining a dead-time. This can reduces
"chatter" between lights of a logical group. That is, multiple
lights within a logical group can near-simultaneously sense a
change in motion and/or light which can cause redundant or excess
chatter among the lighting fixtures of the logical group.
At least some embodiments includes anti-motion, wherein if a
lighting fixture receives an indication of sensing of light and/or
motion from another lighting fixture, the lighting fixture ignores
its own sensing of light and/or motion for a predetermined period
of time.
At least some embodiments include deferral, wherein if at least one
lighting fixture of a logical group senses light sensing blindness,
an excessive false motion condition, or some other suspect sensor
input, the lighting fixtures sensing suspect sensor input retrieve
sensor input from other lighting fixtures within the logical group
and ignore their own input. That is, the lighting fixtures solicit
information from others in the logical group if the lighting
fixtures' sensors are providing bad input.
For at least some embodiments, the logical group comprises a motion
sensing group. For a specific embodiment, lighting fixtures of a
corridor determine they are in a corridor, and auto-designate
themselves to be included within a logical group. For a specific
embodiment, the motion sensing group includes a corridor look-ahead
behavior, comprising a plurality of overlapping logical groups of
lighting fixtures that provide propagation of light along a
corridor.
For at least some embodiments, the logical group includes an
ambient light group. For a specific embodiment, at least a subset
of the plurality of lights auto-designate themselves to be within a
logical group. The auto or self designation of the light can be
made, for example, by the subset of the plurality of lights
determining that they receive a change of light near-simultaneously
(within a defined time slot). For an embodiment, if at least one of
the lighting fixtures of the logical group sense a light sensing
blindness condition, the at least one lighting fixture retrieves
sensing information from other lighting fixtures within a common
logical group to determine an ambient light level, and the lighting
fixture responds accordingly. That is, the lighting fixture
solicits information from others in logical group if the lighting
fixture is blind.
For at least some embodiments, the logical group includes a logical
switch group. For a specific embodiment, the logical group is
designated by a group id, and lighting fixtures that are members of
the logical group having the group id are controlled by at least
one of a logical switch and a physical switch, wherein the member
light fixtures are controlled to provide predetermined scenes.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart that includes the steps of a method of
distributed temperature control according to an embodiment. A first
step 1010 includes each of a plurality of independently controlled
temperature apparatuses sensing temperature, light, and/or motion,
and independently controlling a temperature. A second step 1020
includes specifying one or more of the plurality of independently
controlled temperature apparatuses as belonging to a logical group.
A third step 1030 includes each of the temperature apparatuses of
the logical group additionally controlling temperature based on
sensing of temperature, light and/or motion of another temperature
apparatus of the logical group.
Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated,
the described embodiments are not to be limited to the specific
forms or arrangements of parts so described and illustrated. The
embodiments are limited only by the appended claims.
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